Cranberries bring just the right mix of tart and sweet to fall and winter desserts, making them a standout ingredient in everything from cookies to cheesecakes. Their bright flavor cuts through rich batters, creamy fillings, and buttery crusts, adding balance and color in every bite. This list includes baked bars, creamy cheesecakes, quick breads, and cookies loaded with white chocolate, coconut, or pecans, plus a few no-bake and copycat treats for good measure. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just want something with bold flavor and a seasonal twist, these cranberry desserts cover all the bases.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Soft and chewy, these cookies pair tart cranberries with melty white chocolate for a sweet and tangy combo. The dough bakes up golden around the edges with a soft center. Perfect for gifting or holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Cranberry Pecan Cookies
These cookies are lightly crisp with chewy centers and bits of dried cranberries and toasted pecans throughout. The mix of nutty crunch and tart fruit makes them feel rich and balanced. Great with coffee or tea.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Cookies
No Bake Cranberry Cheesecake
A smooth cream cheese filling sits on a cookie or graham cracker crust, topped with cranberry sauce or swirl. No oven needed, just chill and serve. The cranberry topping cuts through the richness for a fresh finish.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Cranberry Cheesecake
Cranberry Orange Cheesecake
Bright orange zest and tart cranberry sauce swirl into a creamy cheesecake base. Baked on a simple crust, it’s rich, tangy, and a little bit festive. Ideal for fall or winter gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cheesecake
Cranberry Coconut Cookies
These chewy cookies combine sweet coconut and dried cranberries in a buttery base. The coconut adds texture, while the cranberries keep the flavor bright. A simple cookie that tastes more complex than it looks.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Coconut Cookies
Apple Cranberry Galette
Thinly sliced apples and fresh cranberries fill a rustic, flaky crust in this free-form tart. The fruit softens as it bakes, with the cranberries adding bursts of tartness. Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Galette
Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
A creamy cheesecake layer sits over a crust, topped with cranberry swirl or glaze. The bars slice clean but stay soft in the middle. A portable twist on classic cheesecake with big seasonal flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
White Chocolate Cranberry Scones
Flaky and buttery, these scones are dotted with cranberries and chunks of white chocolate. They bake golden with crisp edges and tender centers. A light glaze or sugar topping finishes them off.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Cranberry Scones
Cranberry White Chip Cookies
Packed with white baking chips and dried cranberries, these cookies are soft with a hint of chew. The sweetness of the chips balances the tart fruit in every bite. A go-to for holiday baking.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry White Chip Cookies
Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
These cookies bake soft and thick, with white chocolate melting into the dough and chewy bits of cranberry throughout. The combo feels festive but still simple. Great for winter cookie trays.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
Baked Cranberry Cheesecake
A full-sized baked cheesecake gets topped with cranberry compote or swirled through before baking. The result is creamy and dense with a sharp, fruity contrast. A solid pick for Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cranberry Cheesecake
Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copy Cat Recipe)
These blondie-style bars are filled with cranberries and white chocolate, topped with a cream cheese glaze and more cranberries. Soft, sweet, and lightly spiced, they’re rich but easy to love. A holiday favorite for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copy Cat Recipe)
Lemon Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
Tangy lemon and cranberry swirl through a creamy cheesecake bar on a cookie base. The citrus brightens the whole thing while the cranberry adds color and bite. They’re smooth, sweet, and easy to slice.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
Cranberry Curd Tart
This vibrant tart features a smooth, bright red cranberry curd inside a crisp shortcrust shell. The filling is sharp and sweet, like lemon curd with a twist. It looks impressive but isn’t hard to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Curd Tart
Cranberry Poke Cake
A simple white or vanilla cake gets poked and filled with cranberry sauce, then topped with whipped cream or frosting. The cranberry adds moisture and flavor to every bite. An easy way to make boxed mix feel homemade.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Poke Cake
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
Moist and lightly spiced, this quick bread folds in dried cranberries for a tart contrast to the pumpkin. The texture is soft and slices cleanly. A solid choice for breakfast or snacking.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake
Dense and buttery, this loaf cake is filled with cranberries and topped with glaze or powdered sugar. The fruit adds color and bite to every slice. Perfect for holiday gifting or serving with coffee.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake
